Sen. Lindsey Graham digs at reality TV show rival

Amid tension in Ukraine and the Middle East, Sen. Lindsey Graham says this is no time for reality TV.

The Republican senator, who is seeking a third term in November, dissed former state treasurer and Southern Charm star Thomas Ravenel in an interview with TheGreenville News. Ravenel submitted petitions last week seeking to challenge Graham as an independent in November.

“We’re not auditioning for a reality show,” Graham told the Greenville newspaper. “We’re trying to be the best senator for the sake of South Carolina in dangerous and serious times.”

Asked whether he takes Ravenel seriously, Graham said he’ll be talking this campaign about his own Senate record and his agenda is for a third term. “South Carolinians want somebody in Washington who is respected, that can solve problems and knows what they’re talking about,” he said.

Ravenel, aka T-Rav by watchers of his show, shot back in the Greenville story at Graham’s stances on foreign policy, likening it to a different kind of reality TV show.

“His has cost taxpayers trillions of dollars and thousands of lives,” Ravenel said. “And unlike my show, you can’t change the channel when his show comes on and you can’t stop paying for it either. I’ll take Southern Charm over adventures in nation building any day of the week.”